Toy



S. L. LONG May 6,1947.

TOY

Filed' Nov. 6, 1944 INVENTOR.

Patented May 6, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOY Sidney L. Long, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application November 6, 1944, Serial N0. 562,156

1 Ciaim.

My present invention relates to improvements in toys which will operate by the forces of gravity and momentum, .and which toy will operate in a similar manner when inverted, thus making the action of the toy substantially continuous. This object is accomplished by providing an invertable frame having a runway and carrying an inanimate object that, successively, descends by the force of gravity and then rises by the force of momentum.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

To the above end, generally stated, the invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and defined in the claim.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates the invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the toy;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view principally in side elevation with the roller sectioned on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

The numeral 5 indicates a rectilinear frame, as an entirety, with the exception of its two upright or side members 6. Within this frame 5 is a runway comprising an upper track section and lower track sections indicated by the numeral 1, and intermediate track sections 8. As shown, the track sections 1 are reversely inclined and the track sections 8 are successively reversely inclined. The track sections 1 at their outer end portions are bifurcated to receive the frame side members 6 .and rigidly secured thereto. Each track section 8, at its outer end portion, is bifurcated to receive the respective frame side member 6 to which it is loosely pivoted at 9. The frame side members 6 are notched at 19 to receive end portions of the track sections 8. Each notch I0 affords opposing stop surfaces ll that limit the swinging movement of the respective track section 8 on either side of a horizontal position. Normally, the track sections 8 rest on the lower stop surfaces and support said sections in downwardly inclined positions.

A roller 12 extends transversely of the runway for rolling movement on the track sections 1 and 8. On each end of the roller I2 is a large fixed disk 13 having on its inner face an annular flange M. The flanges 14 hold the roller 12 against angular and endwise movements on the runway. Attached to the outer face of each disk 13 are two clown tumblers I5. These pairs of inanimate figures or objects are relatively balanced and 2 each pair of said figures is also balanced about the axis of the roller 12.

The pivoted end portions of the track sections 8 extend outwardly of and above the inner ends of said track sections. These track sections 8, at their free or inner ends, are closely positioned above the next below track section 8 with sufficient clearance for the roller 12 to pass thereunder.

Primarily the roller 12 rests on the lowermost portion of the lower track section I. To start action of the toy, the frame 5 is inverted. This brings the roller 12 and attached figures 15 to the top of the frame 5 where the same drops onto the uppermost position of the uppermost track section 8. From thence the roller I2, by the force of gravity, is rolled downwardly on said track section and drops onto the next below track section 8 where the same, under the force of momentum developed while rolling under the force of gravity, rolls upwardly on said track section until stopped either by engaging the adjacent frame side member 6 or when the force of gravity overcomes the force of momentum. The stopped roller l 2 is reversed and rolled downwardly on the respective track section 8 by the force of gravity. This operation is continued until the roller 12 drops onto the lower fixed track section I and rolls to its lowermost portion. The size of the figures I5 is such that the roller I2 and attached figures I5 cannot be removed from the frame 5 between the track sections. By reversing the frame, an almost continuous action of the toy may be had.

From what has been said, it will be understood that the toy described is capable of modifications as to details of construction and arrangement within the scope of the invention herein disclosed and claimed.

What I claim is:

In a toy, an invertible frame having inclined pivoted runways, and an inanimate object mounted to travel on the runways by the force of gravity, said runways being constructed and arranged to fall into the same relative positions in respect to the frame when said frame is inverted.

SIDNEY L. LONG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 799,835 Darby Sept. 19, 1905 1,120,871 Weatherford Dec. 15, 1914 409,806 Schureman Aug. 27, 1889 FOREIGN PA'I'ENTS Number Country Date 185,293 British Sept. 7, 1922 

